Non-lethal home defense implement

ABSTRACT

A non-lethal home defense implement in the form of a projectile firing tube for firing a non-lethal type projectile, in which the tube nozzle end has a hand grip portion equipped with a hand operated contact closing member for energizing a target light beam directed in the direction of firing, and the other end of the implement is equipped with a hand grip portion including a trigger for firing the tube. The operator holds one end of the device in either hand and presses the contact closing member with the hand at that end of the implement to energize the contact beam for directing same at the target, with the trigger being actuated by the other hand to fire the implement. The implement electric circuiting is arranged so that both the contact bar and trigger must be depressed to fire the implement.

United States- Patent [191 Jones et al.

[ 51 Apr. 3, 1973 541 NON-LETHAL HOME DEFENSE IMPLEMENT [76] Inventors:Kenneth W. Jones, 205' Railroad, Claredon Hills; Edward H. Richie, 4327Elm St., Downers Grove, both of Ill.

[221 Filed: Dec. 31, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 103,022

52] us Cl ..42/84, 42/1 A, 42/1 N, 42/79 [51] Int. Cl ..F4lc 19/12, F41021/14, F410 27/00 [58] Field of Search....42/84, l A, l N, 79; 89/l.70l;240/65 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,597,565 5/1952Chandler et al. ..42/1 A 2,496,316 2/1950 Skinner et al. ..42/84 6l8,90l2/1899 Peterson ..42/79 57,751 9/1866 Milbum ..89/l2 3,455,047 7/l969Hoag ..89/l 2,353,971 7/l944 Shaffer et al. ..42/74 X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 836,792 1/1939 France ..89/l

Primary Examiner--Samuel Feinberg Assistant Examiner-C. T. JordanAtt0rneyMann, Brown & McWilliam & Bradway [5 7 ABSTRACT A non-lethalhome defense implement in the form of a projectile firing tube forfiringa non-lethal type projectile, in which the tube nozzle end has ahand grip portion equipped with a hand operated contact closing memberfor energizing a target light beam directed in the direction of firing,and the other end of the implement is equipped with a hand grip portionincluding a trigger for firing the tube. The operator holds one end ofthe device in either hand and presses the contact closing member withthe hand at that end of the implement to energize the contact beam fordirecting same at the target, with the trigger being actuated by theother hand to tire the implement. The implement electric circuiting isarranged so that boththe contact bar and trigger must be depressed totire the implement.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR3 191a SHEET 1 BF 2 D mm.

mwmvE E mm mo. q 0%. mm w| |1 mm 3 om Q @m ow mq g @m PA'TENTEDAPR 3I975 SHEET 2 BF 2 QUE 5 Dn O T N E V N KENNETH W. JONES EDWARD H. RICHIEBY 7 M,M, WZ%W M ATTORNEYS NON-LETHAL HOME DEFENSE IMPLEMENT Thisinvention relates to a non-lethal home defense implement, and moreparticularly, to a new type of fire arm for use as protection againstintruders, which is especially arranged to fire a non-lethal projectile.

Conventional fire arms have the very great problem that if used againstintruders, serious if not fatal injuries are the likely result.Nevertheless, it has become increasingly important to home owners tohave available to them some sort of protective fire arm type device thatmay be used to discourage or drive off intruders without risking seriousinjury to anyone.

Our applicationSer. No. 88,687, filed Nov. 12, I970, discloses anon-lethal projectile and launcher therefor that is especially arrangedfor use in riot control. The instant invention is concerned with theprovision of a fire arm type implement that'is especially suited forhome defense purposes which utilizes the projectile of said application.

A principalobject of this invention is to provide a non-lethal homedefense implement of the fire arm type that may be fired if necessary atintruders without endangering or seriously injuring them.

Another principal object of the invention is to provide a fire arm typeimplement that requires positive action by both the user's hands beforeit will fire. 7 Still other objects of the invention are to provide afire arm that avoids the shoulder engagement problems of rifles, that isarranged to provide instinctive pointing or aiming when gripped forfiring, that is arranged so that it cannot be readily firedaccidentally, and to provide a home defense implement that isinexpensive of manufacture, convenient to set-up and use, and readilyand safely stored until needed.

In accordance with this invention, the implement provided by thisinvention is in the form of a firing tube to be similar to the manner inwhich one would hold a fighting staff, in which the tube muzzle end hasa hand grip portion equipped with a hand operated contact closing memberfor energizing a target light beam directed in the direction of firing,and the other end of the implement is equipped with a hand grip portionincluding a trigger for firing a tube. The implement is elongate innature, the operator holding the respective ends of the device in eitherhand, with one hand operating the contact closing member to energize thelight beam, and the other hand operating the trigger to fire theimplement when necessary. In one form of the invention, the implementhas two firing tubes disposed back to back and similarly equipped sothat when one tube has been fired, the implement may be inverted to firethe other tube in like manner. In another form of the invention, asingle tube is employed having a recoil buffer applied at the breech endof the tube to protect those standing behind the user from injury.

Still other objects, uses and advantages will be obvious or will becomeapparent from a consideration of the following detailed description andthe drawings in which like parts are given like reference numeralsthroughout the several views.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of one embodiment of the invention,with parts being broken away;

FIG. IA is a fragmental plan view of the firing tube nozzle;

FIG. 2 is a plan view substantially along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is is a transverse cross-sectional view, largely diagrammatic innature, taken substantially along line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view through one of the implement firingtubes, taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmental cross-sectional view of the muzzle end of theimplement, taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 1A;

' FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, but on an enlarged scaleand with parts broken away to better illustrate some of the specificcomponents that are employed in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 6;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the invention;and

FIG. 8 is a fragmental exploded cross-sectional view of a muzzle endclosing device for use in connection with this invention.

However, it is to be distinctly understood that the specific drawingillustrations provided are supplied primarily to comply with therequirements of the Patent Code, and that the invention may have otherembodiments which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, which areintended to be coveredby the appended claims.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION Reference numeral 10 of FIG. 1 and 6 generallyindicates one embodiment of this invention which is adapted to fire anon-lethal projectile 12 (see FIG. 5) of the type disclosed in ourcopending application Ser. No. 88,687. As indicated in our saidapplication, the projectile I2 for firing purposes is embodied in around 14 (see FIG. 3) and includes a body 16 formed from a pliantresilient material compressed to projectile form and mounted within arestraining cup 18 that in turn is mounted in shell 20. The round 14 isfired by igniting explosive material 22 in the shell high pressurechamber 24 which creates a high pressure gas flow that projects theprojectile 16 from the implement, the cup 18 being discarded in flightas the rear. end of the projectile expands to form a stabilizing finarrangement, and the forward end of the projectile being retained inprojectile configuration by mesh covering 26 that ruptures on impact sothat the body 16 flattens out to absorb much of the energy of impact.

The implement 10 comprises a pair of firing tubes 30 and 32 which areturned intoa receiver tube 34 to mount a round 14 in each of same attheir firing chamber forming ends 36 and 38, respectively, against abreech plug 40 containing suitable firing mechanism 42 for firing therespective rounds.

At the respective muzzle ends 44 and 46 of the firing tubes 30 and 32,the upper and lower sides of the tubes may be slotted, as at 47 (seeFIG. 5), in accordance with our said application Ser. No. 88,687, tolimit and vent propelling pressure on the projectile; adjacent eachmuzzle end 44 and 46, respectively, the respective firing tubes 30 and32 are provided with the respective hand grip portions 48 and 50equipped with the respective contact closing bars 52 and S4 and triggers56 and S8.

As indicated in FIG. 6, the contact bars 52 and 54 are shaped to housethe respective battery cells 60 and 62, with the arrangement being suchthat the respective contact bars 52 and 54 are depressed to energize therespective target beam lamp devices 64 and 66 with which each firingtube is equipped, while the actuation of the respective triggers 56 and58 serves to fire the round of the tube being aimed.

In accordance with this invention, the implement is employed staff-likeby the user as by grasping the respective hand grip portions 48 and 50in either hand, for instance, with the left hand engaging the hand gripportion 48 and the right hand engaging the hand grip portion 50, todispose the implement at one side of the user and more or lesshorizontally disposed Assuming it is the firing tube 30 that is to befired, the user aims the tube 30 in the general direction of the targetand closes contact bar 52 with his fingers that are encircling the hand,grip portion 48 whereupon the target beam device 64 lights up anddirects a light beam on the target. The firing tube 30 is fired by theuser pulling the trigger 58 with a convenient finger of his right hand,the arrangement being such that contact bar 52 must also be helddepressed to energize light 64 if the round in tube 30 is to be fired.When fired, the projectile 12 is projected at the target in the mannerindicated in our said application, with the result that anyone hit bythe projectile will be stunned or immobilized with no permanent injuryresulting. As the device of this application is intended for homedefense purposes and against persons having apparent criminal intent,slots 47 may be omitted to insure greater impact effect of projectile12.

The tube 32 is fired in a similar manner by inverting the implement tobring the muzzle end 46 of the tube 32 up to the users left hand and themuzzle end 44 of the tube 30 back to the user's right hand, whereuponthe operating sequence is repeated for firing purposes.

In the embodiment 70 of FIG. 7, the implement is of simplified formemploying a single firing tube 72 provided with modified hand gripportions 74 and 76 arranged to provide a firing sequence that is similarto the individual firing tubes of the implement 10, with the implement70 being equipped with a recoil guard 78. The implement 70 is held in amanner similar to implement 10, guard 78 being provided to avoid injuryto persons standing at the rear of the user, no recoil reducing slots 47being employed in this embodiment. After firing, the muzzle can begripped in the manner of a baseball bat to swing at the knees and shinsof the intruder for purposes of crippling him.

In the embodiment of FIG. 8, an arrangement for closing the muzzle endsof the implements 10 or 70 is provided to avoid plugging up the firingtube by small objects being stuffed into same by children gaining accessto the implement while it is in storage. Closing device 80 comprises adiaphragm 82 formed from a suitable plastic held in place over themuzzle by suitable retaining cap 84. The diaphragm 82 is formed todefine fragmenting lines 86 of reduced thickness for ready rupture onfiring of the implement.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION The firing tubes 30 and 32 and receiver sleeve 34,as well as the respective hand grip portions 48 and 50 of implement 10are formed of suitable metallic materials.

The ends 36 and 38 of the respective firing tubes 30 and 32 and receiversleeve 34 are threaded for threading into receiver sleeve 34 in a mannersimilar to that employed in many conventional shot guns (using theso-called interrupted threads 90 [see FIG. 4] for this purpose, with thesleeve being longitudinally slotted and axially and internally threadedto provide the 1/4th turn attachment action that is involved). Asindicated in FIG. 3, the respective firing tube ends 36 and 38 areturned against the flange 92 of the projectile shell 20 which in turn isseated against the breech block 40. The firing tubes should beproportioned in length such that when they are in place there is alength on the order of 40 to 50 inches between the respective hand gripportions 48 and 50 and end of the implement l0 opposite same, to make itimpossible to bring the implement to the shoulder.

The projectile assemblies 14 are fully described in our saidapplication, and as there indicated, the high pressure chamber 24 of theshell is closed by primer plug 94 and it is suitably fitted withprecussion or electrical elements to initiate the firing cycle. In theform shown, electrical elements are provided which are actuated by thefiring plug assembly 42 which comprises a pair of firing contact pins 96and 98, respectively, slidably mounted within insulating sleeves 100 and102 suitably mounted in breech block 40 and biased in the direction ofthe respective firing tube firing chambers by the respective springs 104and 106.

The general arrangement of the hand grip portions 48 and 50 of therespective firing tubes 30 and 32, and specifically the relation betweenthe contact closing bars 52 and 54, the triggers 56 and 58, the targetbeam lights 64 and 66, and the firing device 42, is illustrated in FIG.6. Hand grip portion 48 comprises a sleeve of a plastic or metallicmaterial affixed to firing tube 30 in any suitable manner and havingaffixed thereto spaced ridges 112 and 114 that define the hand grippingspace 116. The contact closing bar 52 is suitably chambered as at toreceive the battery 60 as well as one or more compression springs 122which bias the bar 52 laterally of the firing tube 30. Bar 52 is formedto define trigger guard 124 and is journaled on pin 126 being suitablymounted in and extending between spaced ears 127 of the sleeve 110.Compression spring 128 is interposed between the trigger 56 and sleevestructure 110 to normally separate trigger contact 130 from triggerguard contact 132. Springs 122 normally separate closing bar 52 contact134 from sleeve structure contact 136.

Trigger contact 130 is connected by a suitable lead 138 to firing pin 98while trigger guard contact 132 is connected by a suitable lead 140 tobattery 62. Closing bar contact 134 is connected to battery 60 by asuitable lead 142 while battery 60 is connected to light 64 by suitablelead 144, light 64 and contact 136 being grounded on the firing tube 30as indicated by leads 146 and 147.

As indicated at the left hand end of FIG. 6, the contact closing bar 52is formed with a stop forming shoulder 148 adapted to engage ledge 150of the sleeve structure 110 to form the normal or extended position ofthe bar 52 that is indicated in FIG. 1. InFlG. 6 bars 52 and 54 are bothin their retracted, contact closing, positions.

The hand grip portion 50 and its associated parts are the same innature, as indicated by corresponding reference numerals with the suffixA, though it is pointed out that the battery 60 is connected to contact132A by suitable lead 154 while contact 130A is connected to firing pin96 by lead 156.

Trigger guard contacts 132 and 132A are mounted on the respective springarms 160 and 162 while the contact closing bar contacts 134 and 134A aremounted on spring arms 164 and 164A; sleeve contacts 136 and 136A aremounted on spring arms 166 and 166A, respectively.

The target beam lights 64 and 66, which are only diagrammaticallyillustrated, preferably each comprise a suitable housing 170 connectedto the respective sleeve structures 110 and 110A by suitable arm 172.Contained within the housing 170 is a suitable lens 174 (see FIG. 6)colored at its mid portion 176 so that the middle portion 178 of thelight beam 180 emitted by the respective lights is colored red andindicates the impact point for sighting; the remainder of the beam is ofwhite light. The lights 64 and 66 also each include a suitable lightbulb 182 cooperating with the usual reflector 184, with the lens 174 ofbulb 182 and reflector 184 suitably mounted within the housing 170.

It will therefore be seen that in order to fire either firing tube 30 or32, the contact closure bar (52 or 54) for the particular firing tubemust first be gripped, and held gripped, toenergize the light of thefiring tube in question, which also indicates whether or not the firingsystem'for the tube in question is operative. Springs 122, 122A, 128 and128A are made sufficiently strong so that only the strength of an adultcan close the contacts separated by them to avoid accidental firing by achild having accidentally obtained access to same.

Referring now to the embodiment of FIG. 7, the firing tube 72 may besimilar to firing tube 30, with the tube 72 having its firing chamberforming end suitably received in handle forming structure 76 equippedwith a breech block of the type shown in FIG. 3 except only one firingpin is required. Handle forming structure 76 is formed with an extension192 equippedwith a recoil guard 78, which includes pad 194 to protectsomeone who might be standing to the rear of user of implement 70 frominjury due to recoil.

The hand grip portion 74 in the embodiment of FIG. 7 comprises a sleevestructure 196 mounted for limited rotational movement about the muzzleend 198 of tube 72 against the action of relatively stiff torsion spring200 that has its ends 201 and 203 anchored in sleeve 196 and tube 72,respectively. Electrical circuiting similar to that shown in FIG. 6 maybe employed whereby when sleeve structure 196 is rotated to bring sleevecontact 204 against ground contact 206,light 64A will turn on,permitting trigger 210 to fire the weapon on being depressed. In thisembodiment, sleeve structure 196 includes a lug 212 biased by spring 200acting in compression into recess 214 of a suitable socket formingstructure 216 fixed to tube 72, and sleeve 196 is formed with rightangle slot 220 to permit same to move relative to ground contact 206.Thus, spring 200 normally keeps sleeve 196 locked against rotation dueto lug 212 being lodged in recess 214, and the operator must presssleeve 196 both forwardly of the tube 72 and then circumferentially ofsame to condition the implement for firing. The battery (not shown) forproviding the source of electrical power may be housed in extension 192,it being understood that the actual wiring arrangement employed,following the general arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, as modified tofire a single tube, may have any suitable specifics.

It will therefore be seen that we have provided a novel form of homedefense implement which gives the impression of being a formidableweapon, but which in fact fires a projectile that has a potential tostun and immobilize any person forming the target for the implement.

The implement is adapted for ready storage until needed. Accidentalfiring is unlikely since two separate motions are required, and bydifferent bands of the user, to fire the implement. Where slots 47 areemployed, the firing tube muzzle cap, such as that shown in FIG. 8,should be suitably flanged to cover slots 47 when the implement is instorage.

The implement of this application provides a fire arm that is handled inthe manner of a staff, and which fires a projectile that is non-lethal,though when fired at close range the projectile will render a severeblow that may result in bruising and swelling, but it will not penetratethe target persons body. The proportioning of parts is such that itrequires a person of mature arm size and strength to operate, therebymaking accidental firing by children difficult.

The foregoing description and the drawings are given merely to explainand illustrate the invention and the invention is not to be limitedthereto, except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, sincethose skilled in the art who have the disclosure before themwill be ableto make modifications and variations therein without departing from thescope of the invention.

We claim: 1. A launcher for a non-lethal projectile, said launchercomprising:

an elongate implement including a firing tube open at one end of theimplement and including a firing chamber portion adapted to receive anammunition round that includes the projectile,

means for electrically firing the round when the round is in saidchamber portion and including trigger means adjacent the other end ofsaid implement for manually actuating said firing means,

with said firing tubeopening forming the muzzle of said tube, saidimplement at said one end thereof including means for directing a targetlight beam parallel to said firing tube muzzle and in the direction ofaim of said muzzle,

and hand operable switch means adjacent said implement one end formanually selectively actuating said beam directing means, 7 q

said implement being formed adjacent said trigger means with a firsthand gripping portion adapted to be gripped by one of the users handsand being formed adjacent said switch means with a second hand grippingportion adapted to be gripped by the other of the users hands forholding said implement fighting staff style for aiming and firingpurposes,

said trigger means and said switch means being hand actuatable by theuser when his hands respectively grip the respective hand grippingportions of said implement,

and electric circuit means for interconnecting said firing means andsaid beam directing means including means for electrically energizingsame and means for making said firing means operative, for firing around received in said implement, only when both said switch means andsaid trigger means are hand actuated by the user to respectively actuatesaid beam directing means and fire the round that is received in saidimplement for firing purposes.

2. The implement set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said implement includes a second firing tube in substantial axialalignment with the first mentioned tube and extending in the oppositedirection,

said second firing tube being open at said other end of the implementand including a firing chamber portion adapted to receive a round thatincludes one of the projectiles,

means for electrically firing the round of said second tube when suchround is in said second tube chamber portion and including trigger meansadjacent said one end of said implement for manually actuating saidsecond tube firing means,

with 'said second firing tube opening forming the muzzle of said secondtube,

said implement at said other end thereof including means for directing atarget light beam parallel to said second firing tube muzzle and in thedirection of aim thereof,

and hand operable switch means adjacent said implement other end formanually selectively actuating said second tube beam directing means,

said second tube trigger means and switch means being hand actuatable bythe user when his hands respectively grip the respective hand grippingportions of said implement,

said electric circuit means including means for interconnecting saidfiring means and said-beam directing means of said second tube includingmeans for making said firing means of said second tube operative onlywhen said second tube trigger means and switch means are both handactuated by the user to respectively actuate said second tube beamdirecting means and fire a round received in said second tube for firingpurposes.

3. The implement set forth in claim 2 wherein:

adjacent ends of said tubes are removably received in either end of acenter sleeve,

said center sleeve including a breech plug including a firing contactpin for each of said tubes,

and means for biasing the respective firing pins against rounds disposedin the respective tube chambers,

said firing pins being incorporated in said circuit means.

4. The implement set forth in claim 2 wherein said switch means eachcomprise:

an elongate contact member secured to said implement for movement towardand away from said implement,

means for biasing said contact members for movement away from saidimplement, said contac members each including an electrical contactdisposed for engagement with a corresponding electrical contact carriedby said implement,

said contacts being incorporated in said electrical circuit means andbeing closed by the user on manually actuating said beam directingmeans.

5. The implement set forth in claim 4 wherein:

said trigger means each comprise a trigger member mounted for pivotalmovement about an axis extending laterally of said implement,

said contact members being respectively pivoted to said implement forpivoting movement about the axis of the trigger means adjacent same.

6. The implement set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said implement one end hand grip portion comprises a sleeve receivedover said implement and carrying an electrical contact,

stop means fixed with respect to said implement,

means biasing said sleeve for pivotal movement about said implement tobring said sleeve into engagement with said stop means, i

said implement including an electrical contact adapted to be engaged bysaid sleeve contact when the user grips said sleeve and turns same inopposition to said biasing means, a

said contacts being incorporated insaid circuit means,

said sleeve comprising said switch means,

and means for releasably locking said sleeve against its said pivotalmovement.

7. The implement set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said implement other end includes a recoil guard.

8. The implement set forth in claim 1 including:

a frangible diaphragm for closing said tube muzzle,

and means for clamping said diaphragm to and across said muzzle.

1. A launcHer for a non-lethal projectile, said launcher comprising: anelongate implement including a firing tube open at one end of theimplement and including a firing chamber portion adapted to receive anammunition round that includes the projectile, means for electricallyfiring the round when the round is in said chamber portion and includingtrigger means adjacent the other end of said implement for manuallyactuating said firing means, with said firing tube opening forming themuzzle of said tube, said implement at said one end thereof includingmeans for directing a target light beam parallel to said firing tubemuzzle and in the direction of aim of said muzzle, and hand operableswitch means adjacent said implement one end for manually selectivelyactuating said beam directing means, said implement being formedadjacent said trigger means with a first hand gripping portion adaptedto be gripped by one of the user''s hands and being formed adjacent saidswitch means with a second hand gripping portion adapted to be grippedby the other of the user''s hands for holding said implement fightingstaff style for aiming and firing purposes, said trigger means and saidswitch means being hand actuatable by the user when his handsrespectively grip the respective hand gripping portions of saidimplement, and electric circuit means for interconnecting said firingmeans and said beam directing means including means for electricallyenergizing same and means for making said firing means operative, forfiring a round received in said implement, only when both said switchmeans and said trigger means are hand actuated by the user torespectively actuate said beam directing means and fire the round thatis received in said implement for firing purposes.
 2. The implement setforth in claim 1 wherein: said implement includes a second firing tubein substantial axial alignment with the first mentioned tube andextending in the opposite direction, said second firing tube being openat said other end of the implement and including a firing chamberportion adapted to receive a round that includes one of the projectiles,means for electrically firing the round of said second tube when suchround is in said second tube chamber portion and including trigger meansadjacent said one end of said implement for manually actuating saidsecond tube firing means, with said second firing tube opening formingthe muzzle of said second tube, said implement at said other end thereofincluding means for directing a target light beam parallel to saidsecond firing tube muzzle and in the direction of aim thereof, and handoperable switch means adjacent said implement other end for manuallyselectively actuating said second tube beam directing means, said secondtube trigger means and switch means being hand actuatable by the userwhen his hands respectively grip the respective hand gripping portionsof said implement, said electric circuit means including means forinterconnecting said firing means and said beam directing means of saidsecond tube including means for making said firing means of said secondtube operative only when said second tube trigger means and switch meansare both hand actuated by the user to respectively actuate said secondtube beam directing means and fire a round received in said second tubefor firing purposes.
 3. The implement set forth in claim 2 wherein:adjacent ends of said tubes are removably received in either end of acenter sleeve, said center sleeve including a breech plug including afiring contact pin for each of said tubes, and means for biasing therespective firing pins against rounds disposed in the respective tubechambers, said firing pins being incorporated in said circuit means. 4.The implement set forth in claim 2 wherein said switch means eachcomprise: an elongate contact member secured to said implement formovement toward and away from said implEment, means for biasing saidcontact members for movement away from said implement, said contactmembers each including an electrical contact disposed for engagementwith a corresponding electrical contact carried by said implement, saidcontacts being incorporated in said electrical circuit means and beingclosed by the user on manually actuating said beam directing means. 5.The implement set forth in claim 4 wherein: said trigger means eachcomprise a trigger member mounted for pivotal movement about an axisextending laterally of said implement, said contact members beingrespectively pivoted to said implement for pivoting movement about theaxis of the trigger means adjacent same.
 6. The implement set forth inclaim 1 wherein: said implement one end hand grip portion comprises asleeve received over said implement and carrying an electrical contact,stop means fixed with respect to said implement, means biasing saidsleeve for pivotal movement about said implement to bring said sleeveinto engagement with said stop means, said implement including anelectrical contact adapted to be engaged by said sleeve contact when theuser grips said sleeve and turns same in opposition to said biasingmeans, said contacts being incorporated in said circuit means, saidsleeve comprising said switch means, and means for releasably lockingsaid sleeve against its said pivotal movement.
 7. The implement setforth in claim 1 wherein: said implement other end includes a recoilguard.
 8. The implement set forth in claim 1 including: a frangiblediaphragm for closing said tube muzzle, and means for clamping saiddiaphragm to and across said muzzle.